Junction box



April 27, 1943. H. P. CHANDLER JUNCTION BOX Filed Dec. 18, 1941 3Sheets-Sheet l (Ittorne HOMER 2? CHANDLER 1320b. 3nnentor flaw 2 April27, 1943. H. P. CHANDLER 2,317,667

' JUNCTION BOX Filed Dec. 18, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nventor April 27,1943.

H. P. CHANDLER 2,317,667

JUNCTION BOX Filed Dec. 18, 1941 s Shet-Sheet s v 7 3/ 59 T44 a 30GHoMEB 2? CHANDLER .Dzcb.

3nventor M .44 c dflwedt, 662.

W 7. (Ittorneg Patented Apr. 27, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEJUNCTION BOX Homer P. Chandler, deceased, late of Mansfield ApplicationDecember 18, 1341, Serial No. 423,594

15 Claims.

This invention relates to portable distribution systems for electricpower and more particularly relates to a distribution mechanismparticularly adapted for use in mining operations and to covermechanisms for such devices that are interlocked with the switch thereinsuch that the switch must be opened before the cover or covers can beopened.

The object of this invention is to construct an electric powerdistribution mechanism providing multiple outlets and a switch thereforin which the covers to the switch housing and the outlet housing areinterlocked with said switch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a portable powerdistribution device in which the switch housing encloses a plurality offuse clips accessible from one end of the switch housing to which aremovable cover is secured that is interlocked with the outlet box coverand the switch and which interlocking mechanisms prevent closure of theswitch when the covers are in an open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power distributionmechanism in which the switch thereof is locked in an open positionuntil the cover to the switch housing has been closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an interlock between thecover for the outlet couplings and the cover for the switch housing eachof which incorporates means interlocking with the switch such that it isheld in open position until the switch housing cover is restored orclosed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an interlock between theoutlet cover and the switch housing cover of a portable distribution boxwhich prevents the removal of the switch housing cover until the outletcover has been opened.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a portable powerdistribution device having an outlet cover and a switch box coverinterlocked with each other and with the switch such that the outletcover must be opened before the switch box cover is opened and whoseinterlinked mechanism provides for locking the switch in an openposition when the switch box cover is open.

Other objects of the invention are to increase the safety of portableelectric distribution systems, provide for more economical manufacture,to increase the utility of the device and to simplify the maintenancethereof.

Other and further objects of the invention will occur to those skilledin the arts to which this invention pertains as the description proceedswhich taken in connection with the accompanying drawings sets forth thepreferred embodiment of the invention but such disclosure is not to beconstrued as a limitation of the device which is limited only by theappended claims and any and all modifications, alterations andvariations of structure coming within the spirit and scope thereof aredeemed to be included herein.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the portable power distribution.device incorporating the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view thereof partly in section to show structuraldetails.

Fig. 3 shows an elevational view with parts in section to showstructural details.

Fig. 4 shows a side elevational view of the switch operating side of thedistribution box.

Fig. 5 shows an end elevational view of the switch housing with aportion of the cover broken away to show structural details.

Fig. 6 shows an end elevational view of the switch housing from the endopposite from that of Fig. 5 and disclosing the details of the switcharm actuator.

Fig. 7 shows a detail of the switch handle interlock.

Portable distribution devices for electric power have in the pastincorporated switch mechanisms that are encased in housings and in whichthere are arranged a plurality of plug connectors to which cables areconnected to supply power to one or more current consuming devices.These junction boxes or portable distribution mechanisms find their mostcommon use in mining operations to supply power to such varied items asdrills, coal breakers, conveyor systems and various other kinds of toolsemployed in mining operations. These boxes are equipped with openableand removable covers that in one fashion or another have beeninterlocked with the disconnect switch associated with the boxes, buthave provided no means to effectively protect an operator from cominginto contact with one or more live wires when working on the box, eventhough the disconnect switch may have been in an open position by reasonof the open cover on the distribution box. Applicant has provided amechanism in which the switch for connecting or disconnecting theincoming power to the several power outlets is completely segregatedfrom the housing containing the plug connectors from which power istaken off to the several power consuming devices supplied therefrom. Aninterlock has been provided between the cover for the plug connectorbox, the cover for the switch and fuse clip housing, which provides thatthe switch must be in an open position before a cover to the plugconnector box is open and in which the cover to the switch housingcannot be opened until the plug connector box is opened and which willlock the disconnect switch in an open position as long as the cover tothe switch housing is in its open position.

The accomplishment of the above results is obtained in the mechanism setforth in the I several figures of the drawings in which I, l areappropriate skid shoes connected together by means of a plurality ofcross-members or bars 2, 2 and whereby the distribution mechanism may betransported from one place to another with comparative ease. Fixed tothe several cross-bar members 2, 2 are a plurality of pedestals oruprights 3, 4 and that are secured to the transverse members 2, 2 bymeans of a plurality of bolts [6, 16, etc. A housing 6 containing theplug connectors subsequently described is supported on the uprights 4and 5 by means of screws H, H and further by means of the bracket l2integrally associated with one of the walls of the box 6 through which ascrew I3 is passed to secure same to the upright 4. The opposite end ofthe plug connector box is secured to the cover of the housing I.

The switch and fuse clip housing I is likewise supported on the pedestalelements 3 and 4 by means of screw elements 30, and l3a, (see Fig. 5),is secured to box 6 by screw and bracket 3b, the

latter of which, also, supports the housing 6 associated with thehousing! and supporting same in a horizontal position, as shown in theseveral views of the drawings. On'its opposite end the cover 29 hasuprights 3 and 4 secured to bars 2, 2 to support same. Screws 6a. secureone end of box 6 to cover 26.

Plug connector boxB is equipped with a cover 9 that is pivoted to themain body of the housing 6 by means of hinges 8, 3, as clearly shown inFig. 1 of the drawings. V

The housing 6 contains a plurality of removable plug connectors H3, H3to which cables l5, I5 are connected and the opposite end of the plugconnectors l3, l3 are joined to cables such as 18 which (see Figs. 2 and4) lead to the outlet side of the switch subsequently described. Thecables i5, I5 lead to some appropriate portable power consuming device.The cables l5, l5 are rigidly secured in bushings l4, l4 and appropriateplugs [6 are disposed in said bushings when no power cable is heldtherein, the plugs l6 being attached to chains l! that are fastened tothe supporting elements 5, 5 of the portable distribution device. Fromthe foregoing it is apparent that a plurality of outlets may be providedin the junction box to supply any number of current consuming devicesfrom a single power cable 7 connected to the distribution box.

The switch housing 1 is provided with a cover l9 at its one end that ispreferably threaded thereto, and which cover when removed makes the fuseclips accessible to the operator. At the opposite end of the switchhousing I is a cover 26 that is permanently rigidly secured to that endof housing I and which supports the inlet cable 22 in an explosion-proofgland or coupling 2|, which may be of a construction similar to thatshown in copending application, Serial No. 418,748, filed the 12th dayof November, 1941 and entitled Junction boxes which has been issued asU. S. Patent #2,299,878, dated October 27, 1942'. The cable 22 isconnected to the inlet side of the switch subsequently described and isactuated by means of a handle connected to a shaft 36 that is rotatablysupported in the end walls constituting cover 29. The cover 29, as shownin the drawings, isprovided with an inner wall 26a integrally associatedwith the cover 26 and is also provided with a removable cover plate 23secured to the cover by means of a plurality of screws 26 with a space24 between the plate 23 and the .inner wall 260, in which the cover andswitch interlocking mechanism for controlling the opening of cover 9 isdisposed.

Internally of theswitch housing I there is a support 26 on which aremounted a plurality of fuse clips and fuses 29 and the support 26 isfixed in housing I on a bracket 21 rigidly secured to the wall ofhousing 1 by means of a screw or other holding element 28. The bracket21 mounting the support26 is fixed thereto in any convenient manner. V

A plurality of such bracket and screw elements 21 and 28 are provided tohold the support 26 in the proper position within the switch housing 1.

One method and means of interlocking the switch handle 25 and the cover9 comprises a lever 30 having an extension 3a thereon which is slottedas at 3! and which has an enlarged portion rotatably receiving the shaft36. On shaft 36 within the enlarged portion of 39a key or cross-bar 32is assembled that in the open position of the switch is arranged tobe'coaxial with the slot 3| provided in the extended portion 36a. Thebar or lever 39 is pivotally connected to the bracket'33, integrallyassociated with the cover 9, by means of a pivot pin 34. When theelement 32 is disposed such that it can enter the slot 3| which occurswhen they lay in the same plane which is at such times as when theswitch is open, the cover 9 may be opened thereby exposing to view theplug connectors l3, I3 in the.

housing 6. V

The switch handle 25 has an eye 35 in which 7 the shaft 36 is received.The shaft 36 extends ments 39 are brought into engagement or disen-'gagement with contacts 49, 46, enclosed in arc shields 46a, 49a, bymeans'of pressure element 43 which is slidably received on one arm ofthe spring hinge element 42 associated with contact actuating lever 38through a bushing 4|. The hinge 42 has one end thereof secured to aninsulating element 44 connecting the blades 39, 39 and the other endthereof is carried by the rod 36. The spring hinge 42 connection makespossible a quick break switch. The contact elements 40, 40 of the switchare fixed to a supporting element that is rigidly held in the housing Ito the support 26 and to the inner wall of the cover 26 by means of aplurality of screw and bracket elements 46. The switch blades 39 arehinged to support 45 at 41 and thence connected to the conduction in thecable 22. The rod element 38 is directly engaged with the switchcontactor elements by means of the slotted element 43 that allows thebushing 43 and rod 38 to move relatively of each other. Associated withthe contactors are blow-out coils 48, only one of which is shown whosefunction is to extinguish any are that may be drawn when the switch isopened.

The cover l9, as has been previously indicated, is threaded on to theend of the housing 1 and provision is made for interlocking the openingof the cover l9 with the opening and closing of the switch such that thelatter will be held in an open position while the cover is open. Onemethod of accomplishing this relationship is to provide the cover l9with a centrally disposed pivot element 49 which is received in a bosson the cover over which eye 59 of the lever 5| is placed and heldthereon by suitable means to pivotally secure the lever 5| to the coverIS. The lever 5| is then pivotally associated with a second lever 52 bymeans of a pin 53 in which the lever 5| has a clevis formation thereonadapted to receive an eye on the second lever 52. The lever 52 is in theform of a right angular element that has an eye thereon by means ofwhich the lever 52 is pivotally secured to a bar or rod 55 and heldthereon by nut 559. Rod 55 is axially slidably received in appropriatebearings 55 and 5'. associated respectively with the housing I and itscover 29. The rod 55 has a reduced end 55a that is slidably received inthe bearing 57. The rod 55 has rigidly secured thereon a right-anglebracket element 58 that is adapted to engage a hook element 59 welded torod 35, the bracket 58 sliding over hook 59 when holding the switchblades 39 in an open position.

The operation of this interlock provides that as the cover !9 is rotatedto remove it from the housing I, it will axially move the shaft or rod55, and as it moves to the left as shown in Fig, 3, the bracket 58 willproject over the element 59, as shown more particularly in the dottedposition thereof in Fig. 6, which is the open position of the switch andpositively lock the switch in its open position. As soon as the cover I9has been disengaged from the housing I, it may be slid to one side awayfrom the housing I made possible by means of the pivoted levers 5| and52 and access thereby permitted to the fuse clips contained in housing1.

One method of interlocking cover |3 with cover I is to equip cover ISwith a plurality of radial. ribs 60 that extend over the edge of thecover element and then extend them externally axially of the cover.Cover 9 is provided with a projecting element or bracket 6| in theposition shown When cover 9 is closed the projection 5| will lay inbetween adjacent ribs 69 and in the path of rotation thereof to preventrotation of the cover I9 on the housing I and its removal therefromthereby confining rotation of the cover to the space between adjacentribs.

The overall operation of the device comprises first putting switchhandle 25 in its open position if not already in that position when itis desired to open the covers 9 and i9. It is now possible to open cover9 since bar 32 is placed in line with slot 3| in bar 33 extension the.Since bar 39 is connected to cover 9 the latter may be opened since bar30 may slide relatively of bar 32 in slot 3|. When the switch handle 25is in closed position bar 32 will not be able to enter slot 3| sincetheir axes will not line in the same plane. When cover 9 is opened,projection 5| will move out of the path of rotation of ribs 69permitting cover |9 to be removed from housing The cover 9 as it isbeing unscrewed or removed from housing '5 will axially move rod 55through the means of levers 5| and 52 pivotally connected to the coverl9 and the rod 55. The continued axial motion of rod 55 will causebracket 58 mounted thereon to engage or hook above hook 59 on lever 38to prevent any possible closure of the blades 33 of the switch. Thereverse of the motion just deiii) scribed will put the switch incondition for closure. An extra precaution against switch closure isprovided in that it will be impossible to close the switch as long ascover 9 is open because bar 32 or its equivalent will hold shaft 35against rotation.

That which is considered new, novel and useful and which is desired tobe protected by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. In a distribution device, the combination; an outlet box and atiltable cover therefor; a switch housing and a removable covertherefor; a switch in said housing and means to open and close saidswitch; means interlocking said tiltable cover and switch such that saidswitch must be opened before said tiltable cover may be opened; meansinterlocking said two covers such that said tiltable cover must beopened before said switch housing cover may be opened and rod meansextending axially of said switch housing having means thereoninterlocking with means on said switch and with means on said switchhousing cover such that said switch is held in an open position whensaid cover is in an open position.

2. In a distribution device, the combination: a switch housing enclosinga switch; handle actuated means to open and close said switch; an outletbox; tiltable cover therefor; means connecting said cover and saidhandle actuated means; means in said handle actuated means adapted forsliding motion relative to said connecting means such that said covermay be tilted and said switch held open and further adapted to allowsaid handle actuated means to be rotated to open and close said switchand prevent opening of said cover.

3. In a power distribution mechanism, the combination; a switch housing;a cover removably secured thereto; a switch in said housing; a rodaxially movable in said housing and connccted to said cover; a hook onsaid rod; means on said switch engageable with said hook; and said coveraxially moving said rod when being removed from said housing such thatsaid hook may engage said switch means to hold said switch in an openposition.

4. In a power distribution mechanism, the combination; a switch housing;a cover for said housing and a switch therein; an outlet box; a coverfor said box; means to actuate said switch; means interlocking said boxcover and sa d means such that said switch must be in an open positionbefore said box cover may be opened; means interlocking said box coverand said switch housing cover; means interlocking said switch housingcover and said switch comprising a rod link connected to said switchhousing cover, a hook on said switch means engageable with a hook onsaid rod; said switch housing cover removable after said outlet boxcover is opened and axially shifting said rod to cause said rod and saidswitch means to engage when said switch housing cover is being opened.

5. In a distribution mechanism, the combination; an outlet box and acover therefor; a switch housing and a cover therefor; each of saidcovers adapted to be opened and ciosed;- a switch in said housing andmechanism for actuating same; a lever connecting said. mechanism andsaid outlet box oover; means on said mechanism engziging a slot in saidlever when said switch is open permitting said cover to be opened andhaving an aperture connected with said slot in which said mechanismrotates when said switch is opened and closed; means interlocking saidtwo covers'such that said switch housing cover cannot be opened untilsaid outlet cover is open and means interlocking said mechanism and saidswitch housing cover such that said switch is locked in an open positionwhen said switch housing cover is open.

6. In a power distribution mechanism; an outlet box; an openable covertherefor; a switch housing; an openable cover therefor; a switch in saidhousing; mechanism to open and close said switch; means interlockingsaid outlet box cover and said mechanism which includes a bar connectedto said cover at its one end and having an axial slot in its other end,a key means on said mechanism registrable with said slot when saidswitch is in its open position to permit said outlet box cover to beopened; means interlocking said cover such that said switch housingcover may not open until said outlet box cover is open; and meansinterlocking said switch housing cover and said switch to lock saidswitch in open position when said switch housing cover is open, whichincludes a rod means axially slidable in said housing, a linkage pivotedto said cover and connectible to said rod, a hook on said switch, a hookon said rod engageable with said hook on said switch, said cover axiallymoving said rod when opening, thereby causing said hooks to engagelocking said switch in its open position. x

'7. In a power distribution device, the combination; an outlet box; acover for said box; a cylindrical switch housing; an axially movablecover for said housing; said box and housing being connected together; aswitch in said housing; lug and bracket means arranged exteriorly ofsaid covers interlocking said covers such that said switch housing covermay not be opened until after said outlet cover has been opened; andmeans interlocking said box cover and said switch such that said switchmust be open before said box cover may be opened; said interlockingmeans preventing closure of said switch while said cover is open. 1

8. In a power distribution system, the combination; a cylindrical switchhousing and an outlet box operatively associated; an axially movablecover for said outlet box; a cover for said switch housing; a switch insaid switch housing; lug and bracket means interlocking said coversexteriorly thereof such that the housing cover may not be opened untilsaid box cover has been opened including a bracket on said outlet boxcover and radial disposed extensions on said switch housing; and meansinterlocking said housing cover and said switch such that said switchwill be locked in its open position while said housing cover is open.

9. In a power distributing system, an outlet box and a cylindricalswitch housing operatively associated; a tiltable cover for said outletbox, threadably secured thereto; an axially movable cover for saidswitch housing box; said covers being openable; a switch in saidhousing; slot and pin means interlocking said switch and said tiltableoutlet cover such that it may not be opened until said switch is open;hook means on rod means interlocking said cylindrical housing cover andsaid switch such that said switch is locked in open position while saidcover is being removed; and said cylindrical box cover interlock adaptedto lock said switch in open position while said switch is open.

;In a portable distribution device; a pair of skids; a rectangularhousing for a plurality of power outlets; a cylindrical housing for aswitch and fuse' mechanism; means to support said housings on saidskids; means to join said housings together; a switch operatingmechanism; a tiltable cover for said outlet box; an axially movablecover for said switch and fuse box; means to interlock said covers;means to interlock said covers with said switch mechanism; and saidswitch and fuse housing being so disposed on said skids as to permit anaxial removal of its cover.

'11. In a portable explosion-proof switching and distributing device; anoutlet box; a tiltable cover for said box; a cylindrical switch boxsecured thereto; a closure threadably associated therewith; a switch insaid switch box; handle actuated means to open and close said switch; aslotted bar connectible between said tiltable cover and said means; arod mounted in said switch box and relatively axially movable therein;means on said rod engageable with said switch; a linkage connecting saidthreaded cover and said rod such that when said cover is removed fromsaid switch box said switch will be locked in open position; saidslotted 'bar having a circular opening connected to said slot; means onsaid handle actuated means engageable with said slot to allow tilting ofsaid cover and engageable in said open ing to allow actuation of saidswitch; a bracket on said tiltable cove movable into the path of motionof means on said threaded cover to interlock said covers and to preventopening of said switch housing until said outlet cover and said switchhas been opened.

12. In a portable explosion-proof switch housing; a cylindrical housing;a cover threadably secured to one end; a switch in said housing; meansto open and close said switch rotatably disposed in the other end ofsaid housing; a rod axially movable in said housing; linkage meansconnecting said cover with said rod; means on said rod engageable withmeans on said switch, said rod means engaging said switch when said rodis moved axially by said cover to hold said switch in its open position.

13. In an explosion-proof switch housing and distribution system; anoutlet box and a cylindrical switch housing operatively associated; apivoted cover on said box; a cover for said housing threaded thereto;means on each of said covers interlocking same; a switch in saidhousing; means in said housing to open and close said switch; a handleto rotate said means; a bar having a slot therein connecting saidpivoted cover and said means, said slot enlarged at its one end; meanson said bar slidable in said slot when said pivoted cover is opened androtatable in said enlarged portion when said switch is opened andclosed; a rod slidable in said housing; a linkage connecting saidthreaded cover and said bar; and means on said bar engageable with saidswitch; said slotted bar and said rod interlocking said switch with eachof said covers.

14. In a switch and outlet box, the combination; an outlet box and aswitch housing operatively associated; a pivoted cover for said outletbox; an axially removable closure for said hous ing; means externallyarranged on each of said covers interlocking them; a switch in saidhousing; means including a handle to open and close said switch; a barconnected to said cover hav ing a longitudinally disposed slot thereinconnecting with an aperture at one end thereof; a pin on said meansslidable in said slot and rotat able in said aperture; said pin slidablein said slot when said cover is to be opened and preventing opening ofsaid switch and rotatable in said aperture when said switch is actuatedand preventing opening of said cover; an axially disposed rod in saidhousing; a linkage connecting said rod and closure; means on said rodadapted to engage said switch when said cover is being axially removedthereby sliding said rod in said housing, said means locking said switchin open position While said closure is removed from said housing; andsaid closure and cover interlock bein first disengaged before said slotand pin and said rod and switch interlocks become selectively operative.

15. In an outlet box and switch housing, the

combination; an outlet box; a pivoted cover for said box; a switchhousing associated with said box; a switch actuating shaft in saidhousing; a handle on said shaft; a bar connected to said cover having aconnected aperture and a slot therein; a pin on said shaft and slidablein said slot to permit opening of said cover and rotatable in saidaperture to permit rotation of said shaft and to simultaneously preventopening of said cover.

